Sunnyland Slim

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Albert "Sunnyland Slim" Luandrew (September 5, 1907–March 17, 1995), was a blues pianist who was born in the Mississippi Delta and later moved to Chicago, to contribute to that city's post-war scene as a center for blues music. ^[1]

He was born on a farm near Vance, Mississippi. He moved to Memphis, Tennessee in 1925, where he performed with many of the popular blues musicians of the day. In 1942 he followed the great migration of southern workers to the industrial north in Chicago. At that time the electric blues was taking shape there, and through the years Sunnyland Slim played with such musicians as Muddy Waters, Robert Lockwood, Jr., and Little Walter. His piano style is characterised by heavy basses or vamping chords in the left hand and tremolos with his right. His voice was loud and he sang in a declamatory style.^[2]

He began recording in 1946 (his first solo date was in 1947) and continued performing until his death aged 87.

He released one record on RCA Victor using the moniker Dr. Clayton's Buddy: "Illinois Central" b/w "Sweet Lucy Blues" (Victor 20-2733).

In 1988 he was awarded a National Heritage Fellowship.

His influence as one of the most influential blues pianists is still felt today, as the Chicago Blues Festival often holds tributes to Sunnyland Slim.

[edit] Footnotes

^ Sunnyland Slim -- Britannica Online Encyclopedia. www.britannica.com. Retrieved on 2008-06-05.
^ Oliver, Paul (1984). Blues Off the Record:Thirty Years of Plue Commentary. New York: Da Capo, pp. 201–203. ISBN 0-306-80321-6.